County officials examine prison work program after inmate escapes

Lawmakers and prison officials met to discuss the current status of the prison work program.

It's been almost three weeks since 42-year-old Louis Cortalano walked away from a prison work program at the Hudson Hills Golf Course in New Castle. He was captured four hours later after he allegedly forced a Mount Vernon woman to drive him to Ossining's Metro-North Train Station. But, following the incident lawmakers immediately suspended the work detail program, and after meeting on Monday decided it will remain that way.

County Executive Andy Spano says there are standard operating procedures in place at the work detail program. He says after looking into the matter, it was realized that on that day there was a total breakdown in procedure.

The work detail program began two years ago as a way to help with the rehabilitation of prisoners. Cortalano's escape was the first to ever happen under the program.